BEREA, Ky. – A strong fourth quarter propelled Hanover (6-1 overall, 2-0 HCAC) past Berea in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action 61-43 on Wednesday night inside the Seabury Center.
 
The senior duo of Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) and Kady Clancy (Scottsburg, Ind.) propelled Hanover to a strong 11-2 advantage at the 5:57 mark in the first frame. Berea began to settle into HCAC play as the Mountaineers were able to match the high-pace Panthers. They cut the Hanover difference to 15-11 after one quarter.
 
However, the early moments of the second quarter belonged to the Panthers and senior Katherine Benter (Brownstown, Ind.). Benter put on a scoring clinic netting nine straight points to push the Hanover lead to double digits, 24-11. Shortly after Hanover found itself in an offensive drought with Berea's Drea Satori using the free throw line to pull within 24-23.
 
Benter led the first half scoring for the Blue and Red with 11 points while Hanover looked to improve from the floor shooting just 34 percent as a team.
 
Both teams had a sluggish second half when junior Kaitlyn Lorenzi (Brentwood, Tenn.) halted the nearly two-minute dry spell that looked to reverse the Berea damage. The Mountaineers had sprung ahead 34-32. Bezold knotted the third frame when a Benter three-pointer put them on top 41-37.
 
Hanover closed out the contest with a monstrous fourth quarter netting the first 13 straight points. Bezold led the charge on her way to 22 total points with eight throughout the run, 54-39. The Panthers secured the HCAC victory, 61-43.
 
INSIDE THE STATS
The duo of Bezold and Benter led the Panthers. Bezold added her second straight double-double netting 23 points with 12 rebounds.
 
Benter also added a double-double for the Blue and Red with 20 points and 12 boards.
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 7 when they hit the road for HCAC rival Franklin. Game time is set for 1:00 PM.